IT WAS all over for Yankee and Shea Stadiums in 2008 without the shouting, both teams missing the postseason, with the Mets even more painfully taking their failure to the final day for a second straight year.

The final 11 months, however, couldn’t knock the glow off the Giants, whose spectacular success framed everybody else’s’ failures and pushed the envelopes, please, for The Post’s New York Sports Awards for 2008:

PERFORMER OF THE YEAR

Every fifth day, Johan Santana kept the Mets alive before he had to do it every fourth day, too. Night after night, Henrik Lundqvist keeps hockey on the New York sports map.

But neither had the biggest stage in 2008. That belonged to Eli Manning. He led an historic January road charge, outdueled the legendary Brett Favre on his home frozen turf and took one of the biggest underdogs in Super Bowl history 83 yards in the final three minutes to victory. He has followed up by leading the Giants to the best record in the NFC.

DUD OF THE YEAR

Mets kept running Aaron Heilman out to the mound, believing he would find his former form, but he never did. Down the stretch, Favre has been just another legend in a long line that came to New York too late. Joba Chamberlain proved such an instant success that the Yankees thought Phil Hughes would make it look just as easy, but he got hurt, just like Danilo Gallinari, the sixth overall pick and first building block of the new Knicks regime.

Still, at least they tried. Two years removed from .342, Robinson Cano signed a four-year, $30 million contract, but went on to hit .271 with a fielding range suddenly as diminished as his interest in playing the game.

TEAM OF THE YEAR

The Giants shocked the world, and have followed up like they were anything but shocked themselves.

GAME OF ANY YEAR

Super Bowl XLII was more perfect than Patriots turned out to be. Manning matched a classic late drive by Tom Brady, who threw one final dry heave of 60 yards, an ending so compelling that only Bill Belichick left early.

Take a guess. Conclusion is inescapable, like the pocket collapsing around Manning on third-and-5 until he somehow escaped so David Tyree could make the catch at the head of the list of any ever performed in a deciding game.

EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

Jerry Reese, left a monster stash by Ernie Accorsi, finished off a Super Bowl winner with a brilliant 2007 draft. The new general manager then supplemented the best depth in the NFL with the depth of character to unload the poisonous Jeremy Shockey.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Tom Coughlin won it all, including the respect of those of us who believed this old dinosaur could never change.

COACHING/MANAGERIAL MOVE OF THE YEAR

One batter into the job, Jerry Manuel firmly removed a helmet-throwing, shirttail-tossing Jose Reyes, who did not want to come out of a game after tweaking a hamstring. Reyes quickly apologized to an obviously tough new sheriff. By contrast, Joe Girardi’s benching of Cano for not retrieving a deflected ground ball came in Game 148, a little late.

But few big-ticket acquisitions in our town’s voluminous history of big-ticket acquisitions ever instantly proved their worth as did Johan Santana. Omar Minaya was unfazed by the surrendered prospects, as were the Wilpons by the $137.5 million, as was the lefty by the city and the Met failures surrounding him, leading the National League in ERA and innings pitched.

FRONT OFFICE BLUNDER OF THE YEAR

Brian Cashman, who also had the money and prospects to get Santana, passed – and the Yankees missed the postseason for the first time in 14 years.

FIASCO OF THE YEAR

The Mets died again at the end, Walsh fiddled with Stephon Marbury’s banishment and burned new coach Mike D’Antoni, who wanted to instantly move on, then had to change his mind when injuries and a trade occurred. But no decision, not even Marbury’s twice refusal to play, was as mindless as an unregistered gun in a pocket at a night-club ending Burress’ Giants days and probably his career.

YOUNG BREATH OF FRESH AIR

Harris is filling the lane, if not yet the seats, in what could be the fastest Nets rebuilding job.

HEARTWARMING SIGHT OF THE YEAR

Mike Mussina recorded a 20-win season for the first time on the final start of his 18-year, 270-victory career.

HEARTWRENCHING SIGHT OF THE YEAR

Billy Wagner, asked how his son was handling the news that dad needed reconstructive elbow surgery that surely would end his Mets days if not his career, wept at the podium.